How Do I Improve as an Engineer?

It remains vital for any engineer to consistently take steps towards self improvement. Engineering, while still a worthy field with many job opportunities, is still subject to economic downturns. During the Great Recession, the job market for engineers became very competitive, so it is important to make yourself stand out among other potential candidates when looking for a new job.

Here are a few self improvement strategies you should be looking at implementing to ensure your career stays on the right track.

Sometimes Business Trumps Technology

Learning the intimate details of your company’s business is a great way to distinguish yourself as a valuable contributor. If you discover that this piques your interest, consider continuing your education with an advanced business degree, like a MBA. Paired with an engineering degree and relevant work experience, a MBA puts your career on the fast track to success and job stability.

Join a Professional Society

Joining a professional engineering society like the IEEE or ASME helps to keep your technical knowledge current and growing. Taking an active role in a local society chapter is also perfect for networking, which may help greatly if you ever find yourself unemployed.

Learn the Soft Skills that Complement Engineering

Certain soft skills, like project management or team leadership, definitely enrich both your career and your résumé, so try to take on those roles at your current job if possible. Communication abilities are another key compliment to engineering leadership, so consider joining a public speaking group like Toastmasters to help hone your speaking skills. You may find yourself on the track to an executive office.

Self-criticism can also be Helpful

While it’s important not to go overboard, learning to constructively self critique your technical abilities, the learning of new skills, and your overall project performance helps you to focus on the self improvement process. Set goals and develop a workable plan to reach your career improvement aspirations.

If you want some advice on self improvement in the engineering field, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing companies in the Seattle area, they have the recruiters on hand that can help coach your growth as an engineer. Make an appointment with them today!

If you are looking for engineering jobs in the Pacific Northwest, contact us today.